The Gateway to Provence, the Camargue, the Rhône and the Saône

7 days with CroisiEurope Rating: First Class

River Cruise Itinerary

DAY 1 LYON - MARTIGUES

We'll meet up in Lyon at 1:30 p.m. in front of the Brasserie Georges for our departure by coach towards Martigues. Passengers are welcome to board our ship in Martigues at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail.

DAY 2 PORT SAINT LOUIS - ARLES - AVIGNON

We'll cruise towards Port-Saint-Louis. Join us for the excursions proposed:

CLASSIC: Discover the Camargue. We'll visit a "manade" (horse breeding farm) and learn about how a manadier works with the animals.

DISCOVERY: Safari in jeeps through the Camargue for an original immersion in the wilderness.

This afternoon, join us for the excursions proposed:

CLASSIC: Guided tour of Arles, a highly cultural town enriched with vestiges from the Roman Empire.

DISCOVERY: Hike in the Alpilles Mountains to the village of Baux-de-Provence.

We'll cruise to Avignon.

DAY 3 AVIGNON - VIVIERS

Join us on an excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Avignon and the Papal Palace.

The afternoon will be spent cruising to Viviers. Join us on an excursion for both packages: Guided tour on foot of the city.

DAY 4 VIVIERS - TAIN L'HERMITAGE

Join us on an excursion for both packages: Tour of the Ardèche Gorges. We'll return to the ship in La Voulte. In the afternoon, join us on an excursion for both packages: Discover the Vercors and taste the famous Clairette de Die*. We'll return on board in Tain-l'Hermitage.

DAY 5 TAIN L'HERMITAGE - VIENNE - LYON

We'll cruise towards Vienne this morning. Join us for the excursions proposed:

CLASSIC: Guided tour of Vienne, a city rich with Roman vestiges.

DISCOVERY: Explore Vienne on a Segway for an original tour of this charming "Gallo-Roman" city.

We'll then cruise towards Lyon. Join us for the excursions proposed:

CLASSIC: Guided tour of Lyon where you'll discover its famous "traboules", types of passageways that are typical of the city.

DISCOVERY: Bike ride through the main monuments and districts of Lyon.

We'll return on board, and depart at nightfall to admire the city lights in Lyon.

DAY 6 TOURNUS - CHALON-SUR-SAONE

We'll begin to cruise early in the morning towards Tournus. Join us on an excursion for both packages: Visit the famous Hospices de Beaune, whose facade is today regarded as a superior example of Northern Renaissance civic architecture. We'll continue along the Burgundy Wine Route and through villages with names that evoke the great French wines. We'll then return on board in Chalon-sur-Saône at the end of the afternoon. Tonight is our gala dinner and evening.

DAY 7 CHALON-SUR-SAONE - LYON

Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. Coach transfer back to Lyon. End of our services.

Tour Map

River Cruise Highlights

An exceptional cruise on the Saône to the mouth of the Rhône River

Safari in jeeps through the wild Camargue

Avignon and the Papal Palace with its private apartments

Lyon and its peculiar "traboules"

The Pont D'Arc Cavern, replica of the Chauvet Cave

All This Included

From Martigues to Lyon via Arles, the Camargue, Avignon and Tain l'Hermitage, go on an unforgettable cruise. Visit The Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc Cave which contains some of the best-preserved figurative cave paintings in the world, as well as other evidence of Upper Paleolithic life. In the coolness and the humidity it offers, you can be fully immersed through sound and olfactory worlds. Discover Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage city, which retales 2,000 years of history through its old cobbled streets.

All meals included - DRINKS INCLUDED with meals and at the bar

Refined French cuisine - Gala dinner and evening - Welcome cocktail

Free Wi-Fi in lounge and bar

Headsets are included for excursions

Official welcome from the captain and crew

Onboard activities

Travel assistance and repatriation insurance

All port fees included

Accommodations on this Tour

Cruising: cabin onboard MS Mistral or MS Van Gogh

Notes

For the safety of our passengers, the captain and crew of the boat may decide to modify the navigational itinerary.

Depending on mooring availabilities, the stopover in Martigues may be replaced by Port Saint Louis du Rhône.

*
The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the trip origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package at the price quoted.